Hydrogenation of carbonaceous material

Abstract

Discloses that in the hydrogenation of liquid, carbonaceous crude material such as bitumen and other heavy oils, a catalyst derived from the addition of Fe 2 (CO) 9 is advantageously used to provide a superior yield of distillable oils compared to prior practice.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process of directly hydrogenating liquid carbonaceous material, which process consists essentially of reacting the material with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst derived by exposing Fe 2  (CO) 9   to the conditions of said hydrogenation. 
     
     
       2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation is carried out at a temperature of from 400° to 500° C. 
     
     
       3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature is from 425° to 475° C. 
     
     
       4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation is carried out at a hydrogen partial pressure of from 3,450 to 34,500 kN/m 2 . 
     
     
       5. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydrogen partial pressure is from 17,000 to 24,000 kN/m 2 . 
     
     
       6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydrogen is supplied as a gas from the group of hydrogen and hydrogen/carbon monoxide mixtures. 
     
     
       7. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid carbonaceous material is bitumen. 
     
     
       8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation products are distilled and the still residue is mixed with a fresh batch of liquid carbonaceous material and subjected to a further hydrogenation step. 
     
     
       9. A process as claimed in claim 8, wherein fresh Fe 2  (CO) 9  is mixed with the said fresh batch of liquid carbonaceous material prior to the further hydrogenation step. 
     
     
       10. A process as claimed in claim 8, wherein a portion of the still residue is bled off, coked and the catalyst is not recovered from the residue.